"I was a nerdy kid and I was bullied a bit when I was kid," Masing told Fox 2. "When I saw the scale of the bullying, I can try to at least empathize with how she feels."

Neighbor Jennifer Petkov admitted last week she posted disturbing images of Kathleen and her mother, who died of the same degenerative brain disease, on Facebook, and neighbors accused Petkov and her husband of attaching a coffin to their truck to taunt the family.

But regardless of their sincerity, the public has responded with an outpouring of support. The Detroit News reports Masing collected more than $17,000 donations for the girl's family and other sick children like her.

And as you can see in the video above, it paid off with a big smile.

Later today, Kathleen is expected to travel to C.S. Mott Children's Hospital to give away donated toys. Separately, supporters are planning a rally for her on Oct. 23 at Hass Park in Trenton.